can anyone tell me how low the engine coolant is when the 'engine coolant low' message first appears on 98 xk8

 

Happy Thanksgiving, and in my 2002 XKR, if the coolant level drops slightly below the filler neck, I will get a warning upon hard accelearation or decelaration where the fluid sloshes back and forth. Once it levels out, the warning disappears. If the level is more than a half inch below the filler neck, I will get a constant warning until I have topped it off that half inch. Sometimes, it will take no more than a cup of coolant, but that little bit, on my car, makes the difference between warning or no warning. Hope this helps.

 

Welcome to the forum bobg,

The coolant level sensor (and consequently the warning message it triggers) is a regular issue. You will find many threads about sticking sensors and false indications. This can work both ways - indicating low when the level is correct or failing to indicate when the level is too low.

The V8 is very sensitive to overheating. Check coolant regularly and keep it topped up to the base of the filler neck. Loss of coolant is a problem. Unless there is a leak from a hose or a joint, there should be no coolant loss.

Whilst you're thinking about the cooling system, do some reading about the temperature gauge to understand what the indication really means.

When you get a minute, please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST section to introduce yourself and tell us something about yourself and your vehicle.

Graham

 

Whatever you do dont ignore it.
My wife did and took out headgaskets.

Bob

 

What is the coolant? Tap water, Evian, ...?

Edit - Aha - Orange stuff mixed with water (still don't know what type of water). I see.

 

FYI: I had that message come on and off randomly for 15 seconds but sometimes a minute. Every time after cool off there was clearly enough coolant. Replaced just the sensor but still had problem. Had local shop replace the coolant reservoir and the sensor again (since it came with sensor) and that fixed. However, clamps on hose had to be replaced after I luckily noticed smoke coming out of hood vents from leaking coolant onto valve covers. Anyway. problem solved.

 

If the coolant level is not low, and the "engine coolant low" error occurs, what are the potential dangers of ignoring the message (assuming that it is a sticky float/ faulty sensor/ whatever)?

 

The danger is you do not know whether the coolant is really low, empty or OK unless the system is working properly.

If you were to have a radiator hose burst for example, the water pump will push out all the coolant in a matter of seconds. Then the temperature sensor will no longer be immersed in coolant so you will never get an overheat warning. You could be driving along, and your engine will sieze from overheating damage, and be destroyed and you will never have had any warning whatsoever.

A low coolant warning in these cars needs to be taken seriously. You never know if it is just a little low or empty! If your low coolant warning system is not working right, it is worth the few dollars to fix it...it could save your engine.